Total U.S. appetite prolongation falls in 2016 after 6 uninterrupted years of increases

U.S. primary appetite prolongation totaled 84.1 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2016, descending 4% from a 2015 level, a initial annual diminution in U.S. appetite prolongation given 2009. The diminution in prolongation coincided with an boost in both sum appetite imports and exports.

Image credit: U.S. Energy Information Administration

U.S. hoary fuel prolongation fell 7% from 2015 to 2016. Most of this diminution was from spark production, that decreased 18% and fell to a lowest turn given 1978. Relatively low healthy gas prices, generally in a initial half of 2016, and comparatively prosaic electricity direct contributed to a diminution in spark production. Petroleum and healthy gas prolongation also declined, descending 5% and 2%, respectively, as prices for both fuels were next their particular 2015 levels.

After disappearing somewhat in 2015, U.S. renewable appetite prolongation increasing 7% in 2016. Wind appetite done adult roughly half a boost in renewable production, while solar appetite accounted for scarcely a quarter. Both fuels saw estimable electricity generating ability additions in 2015 and 2016. Hydroelectricity also accounted for roughly a entertain of a boost in renewable appetite production, mostly since of easing drought conditions in a West Coast states, where many of a U.S. hydroelectric ability is located.

Image credit: U.S. Energy Information Administration

After 10 uninterrupted years of decline, U.S. sum appetite net imports rose 6% from 2015 to 2016, as a expansion in sum imports outpaced a boost in sum exports. U.S. sum appetite imports increasing 7% from 2015 to 2016. Most of a boost came from additional wanton oil imports, that rose 7% as low gasoline prices led to an boost in gasoline demand.

For a initial time on record, sum exports of healthy gas from a United States exceeded those of spark in energy-equivalent terms. EIA projects that a United States will turn a net exporter of healthy gas on an annual basement by 2018, as domestic prolongation continues to grow and additional healthy gas trade capacity, quite to Mexico, comes online.